Writing Challenge on the messageboard
This was a writing challenge that was proposed by Deltaqueen
We have some really good short stories here and Delta & I would like to share them with you.

Your favorite character is being interviewed by a big named newspaper... How would your answer the following questions?

1.What is your name?
2.How do you make your livelihood?
3.What is the biggest turning point in your life?
4.Who is your closest ally?
5.How have you changed the world?
6.What is your biggest fear?
7.What do you see will be the biggest change in the future?

 Ginia — Writing Challenge

My name is Micah Torrance and I'm the Marshal here in North Fork. When I became Marshal about 5 years ago, I was actually at the lowest point of my life. I don't think things would have turned around for me like they did if it hadn't been for Lucas McCain, who has become my closest and dearest friend. There's no one else in this world I would trust with my life more than ol' Lucas boy. I just hope and pray that some of the rough characters we run into never cause him or his boy any harm.
I can't take the credit alone, but I believe the good people of North Fork, along with me, have made this town a safer place for families to live in today and in the future. With law and order becoming more secure in the 'wild' west, I see the west become less wild and more stable. There's a lot of big beautiful country out here and people need to be able to live in peace and harmony, and I see that change coming, in time maybe, but coming.

Kira — Writing Challenge

My name is Mark McCain. I still go to the school. Later I will together work with my Pa. Or perhaps I will become an doctor, but I am not sure. When Ma died, we both were alone. Then we pulled after Northfork, and it was a new beginning for us, a new life for Pa and me. To have Pa in my proximity is the best feeling of the world. In addition, our friends such as Micah or Millie. Good friends are importantly , because they give us strength, confidence and security. If one is exactly the same human, one can reach everything, what one wants. To lose Pa is my largest fear. When Ma had to go, we had only us. I love him very much.
I hope, we have a good life in the future. Here in Northfork, with our Ranch, with our friends. Like it is, because that is good.  

bluespiritgal — Writing Challenge

An interview with Lucas McCain - local rancher:

My name's Lucas McCain and I own a cattle spread about five miles out of North Fork. It's not a very big place but my son and I make a fair living off of it.

The biggest turning point of my life was probably the death of my wife. My son was only six at the time when she caught the fever. Since then I've had to be both mother and father to the boy.

My closest ally is also my best friend here, Micah Torrance. He's North Fork's town Marshal and you won't find a better man for the job or for a friend around these parts.

I don't think I've changed the world too much. I just do my best to make an honest living. Can't say it's always been easy. When I was younger, I was a bit wild, but then again, who wasn't.

My biggest fear is also my greatest strength. That would be my son, Mark. It's hard to raise a boy up into a man without worrying too much. He's a good boy, but this is still a wild untamed country we live in out here and it can be hard for a father not to be worried at times. I try hard not to be too strict, but at the same time I know my son has to be strong to survive.

The biggest change in the future? Well, I imagine that would be progress itself. North Fork is a fast growing town. We just got word the railroad will be coming through town soon and of course there's been talk that one day we may even be headed towards Statehood. I think that would be good for us.

  Linda C. —Writing Challenge

My name is Hattie Mae Denton. I've been living in North Fork several years now and own the General Store. I guess the biggest turning point in my life was moving to North Fork in the first place and opening this store. There was nothing for me back home; no husband, no children - just me and my cat. My closest ally is definitely a rancher named Lucas McCain. He and his boy, Mark, are just like family to me. Couldn't love them more if they were blood. I don't figure that I've changed the world much at all, just trying to be a good neighbor and treat people fair. My biggest fear is that draught, or disease will wipe out the livelihood of all these people I hold dear. The world's changing every day. Young Mark thinks machines will take the place of horses and be able to wash dishes. Young'uns! You got to love their imaginations!

Laurie — Writing Challenge  

"Be in' a certificated MD in the 1880's isn't easy, especially not in the untamed Nevada territory town of North Fork."

That said, Dr. Jay Burrage leans way back in his desk chair and presses his fingertips together.

"Especially when those dern fool sodbusters don't give me the chance to save their young 'uns."

It was Burrage who was forward thinking enough to order a cutting edge, life saving serum from Philadelphia, in the weeks before a deadly anthrax epidemic swept through North Fork, killing animals and humans alike. It broke his heart when ailing children were brought to him, too sick to be saved or already dead.

"The first child I saved was Mark McCain. His Pa brought him to me in plenty of time to use the new serum. It was a great relief to see other families follow Lucas McCain's example by bringing their little ones in soon enough so I could keep them alive too."

Doc Burrage, as he is known to everyone in town, believes medical science will some day turn out more life saving serums to aid in the battles against small pox and even typhoid fever.

"The Good Lord is my closest friend. Even when I do my best work, I know there's a higher power watching over me and my patient," says Burrage.

The dedicated but aging physician sees himself as a simple country doctor.

"In my own little part of the world, I hope I have stilled the swell of ignorance and fear of modern medicine, just a little bit," said Burrage.

"Now if I could just get a little common sense into these cowboys who come to me all shot up. I fix 'em up and a day later they go out and get themselves all shot up again."

Margie — Writing Challenge

Millie's Story

My name is Mildred Scott, my friends call me Millie. I was a school teacher in Santa Fe before I came to North Fork. I had come into a small inheritance and always wanted to go into business for myself. I heard Hattie Denton was selling the General Store so I came to North Fork and made her an offer.

I was now a proud owner of The General Store. Although things were rough at first and I made several wrong judgments, I did manage to make a go of it and ended up with a town full of friends. But my dearest friends of all were Lucas McCain & his son Mark, along with Micah Torrance, the Marshal of North Fork.

Everything was going along just fine until this man came to North Fork claiming he was with the Company B 11th Indiana Cavalry with my brother, Ted Scott when he died. His name was Harry Chase. I honestly don’t know how everything after that happened, it all happened so quickly. Before I knew it Harry had swept me off my feet. Maybe I got caught up in the moment... Maybe I was reaching out for the last person who had been with Teddy when he died. It had been a long time since Teddy & I had seen each other and now I’ll never see him again. But Harry filled that gap for me, telling me all kinds of stories about Teddy. He also told me how was with him when he died and how he buried him.

That’s just what they were, stories. Harry had lied to me and everyone else. The dream, the memory that I cherished was all a lie. I was hurt and confused. I had to get away and think this out. I was so embarrassed that I had fallen for Harry and his lies. It was hard to face my friends day in & day out, so I decided to leave North Fork. Before I left, I went to the person I trusted the most, Lucas and asked him to sell the store for me. He was surprised when I said I was leaving North Fork. He wanted me to stay, telling me that time will heal what I was feeling, but I was too confused and hurt. So we said our good-byes and leaving the door open with the hope of my returning someday.

If I had do it all over again, I would never had left North Fork and the people I love, but hopefully it’s not too late.

As the train pulled into North Fork I look around hoping to see him... I wonder if he’s here…..my, how North Fork has changed! Am I too late? Maybe I shouldn’t get off the train! Maybe I’ll just get hurt or hurt others. The train had come to a stop. What should I do, should I get off? I just sat there for a while looking out at North Fork. Suddenly I heard the conductor say “all aboard!” Why did I come here? I want to know... I have to know! Am I being selfish in wanting to know if this is where I truly do belong? Maybe this isn’t where I belong and if so, then I need to keep searching.

Ginia — I could tell the train was getting ready to leave. I had to make a decision NOW! If I don't do this, I will always wonder and probably always have regrets, so I stood up and walked to the exit. I hadn't told anyone I was coming so there was no one to greet me. Maybe it was better this way. I have time to kind of 'feel' things out. With my bag in hand, I began to walk down the main street. I could see the store front had changed. Should I go in and see the new owner? No, I think I'll wait on that. I see Micah standing out in front of his office. I'll go over and visit him.
It's so nice to see an old friend! I asked Micah about the person who had bought the store. He told me she had also bought the hotel and some other property around North Fork. I tried not to be too obvious as I asked about Lucas and Mark. I could tell Micah was also trying to skirt the issue, but I guess he thought it was best to go ahead and tip me off that, although Lucas and Miss Mallory weren't exactly courting, they were on very friendly terms. I thanked Micah and gave him a big hug. Since the hotel was the only place to stay, and I needed a room, I walked over there next.
There she was, standing behind the counter. I have to admit, she looked quite stunning and I felt very plain and simple standing there in front of her. She had a very friendly smile and gave me one of the better rooms. She didn't realize I was the one she had bought the store from when I told her my name. I didn't mention it either.
As I unpacked and freshened up in my room, I thought about what Micah had told me. I thought about it long and hard...
It was getting late in the evening now. I could see from my window that Micah's office was closed up for the night. Micah must have turned in early. At the other end of the street I could see a buckboard with two people. It was Lucas and Mark. I knew they weren't there to see me, since they didn't know I was in town. They dismounted and came into the hotel restaurant. I slowly made my way down the stairs, but not all the way. I looked down around the wall that hid me from view and watched as Miss Mallory greeted Mark and Lucas. They all looked so happy together. I could tell Marked liked her, and yes, she and Lucas were obviously on very friendly terms. I went back up to my room.
The next morning I stood on the platform waiting to board the train. Time had changed things. My place had been filled. I couldn't come back and cause problems like that. I had left a note with Miss Mallory to give to Lucas. She has looked puzzled that I would know him and be leaving a note. I explained that I was just an old friend passing through. I had to leave the note. I knew Micah would mention that I had been there and that would leave Lucas wondering, and possible hurt. I think he will understand from what I've written, that we will always be friends and I wish him all the happiness in the world.
As I boarded the train, I gave one last glance back at the town I used to call home and loved so much.

Ginia — Here is an alternate ending.....

As I stepped onto the steps of the train, I thought I must be hearing things. Was someone calling my name? I turned to see Lucas coming quickly towards me. The look in his eyes, I can't explain. I stepped down back onto the platform. He called my name again and grabbed my hands in both of his. He said he couldn't believe I would leave without saying 'hello' in person. I guess Micah must have told Lucas about me early this morning. Lucas kept insisting I stay for a while and have a real visit. Mark was so happy to see me too, he gave me a big hug. This was the greeting I had hoped for when I was coming here. How can I leave now? Lucas picked up my bag and started leading me back towards his buckboard. How can a man be this thrilled to see me if he were in love with someone else? Maybe it's just 'very friendly' terms and nothing more? I guess I will be staying in North Fork, at least for a while, after all.

Laurie — With a great deal of uncertainty, I stepped off the stage. As I looked around, I could see some simple but noticeable changes in North Fork. There were a few more businesses, definitely more horses, and a library on the Main Street. The North Fork Library sign listed Cora Severs as librarian. So Cora had finally gotten her library!

I stopped in to chat with Cora. She seemed tickled to see me. She got very quiet, though, when I asked her about Lucas and Mark.

"They're fine," she answered evenly.
The silence that followed was deafening.

"Did he ever marry, Cora?" I asked, trying not to sound terribly interested.

"No, uh, no, uh, not yet," she stammered.

"Is he getting married, Cora?" I probed again, failing miserably at sounding uninterested.

"No Millie, he's not. It's just that he often has dinner at the hotel in town, with Lou Mallory, the woman who bought your store and the hotel," said Cora, whose voice became a murmur.

Tears blurred my vision as I left the library and headed for the hotel where I would see Lucas' new lady at the check-in desk.

SHE IS BEAUTIFUL....I thought as I walked upstairs to my room.

After freshening up, I went to look at the store. I could remember a time when my life was all wrapped up in that store. I ordered new goods, sold them, cleaned each day and locked up each night. It didn't feel the same now. How silly of me to think it would.

"Are you new in town?" a friendly voice asked.

"My name is Millie Scott. I used to own this store," I replied. "Just passing through and wanted to see what the old place looked like."

"Millie Scott, you say? My goodness a letter came for you some months ago," said the woman who eventually introduced herself as Betty. She rummaged through a drawer and produced an envelope with a letter inside.

"We sent it to the forwarding address you left with Lucas McCain but the letter came back," said Betty.

I looked at the return address in disbelief. I went back to the hotel for dinner.

It took me a good hour to decide whether I would come down for dinner that night. When I finally made up my mind to eat downstairs, I watched for Lucas or Mark. Neither came.

That helped me to decide what I would do next. I talked to Micah the next day. We had a grand visit. He hinted that Lucas did have interest in North Fork's beautiful innkeeper.

"Micah, he's a handsome man. I couldn't expect the ladies would look the other way, especially when I left North Fork the way I did. Lucas asked me to stay, you know, but I turned him down," I told Micah, owning up to one of the most foolish things I'd ever done in my life.

As I waited for the stage, I felt calm and almost relieved. I did see Lucas and Mark for dinner, another night. It was just like old times except that it wasn't the same old times.

I looked at the letter in my hand. My heart lept a bit. I would go for a visit to see the man who had written it. He'd been running a feed and grain store in Wyoming for nearly two years. I would see if he had settled down and I would take my time seeing if he had changed. In his beautifully written letter, he said again what he had told me the last time I saw him.

"Millie.....everything I've said to you about the war was a lie. I'm leaving now Millie and I'm gonna try and change, I don't know whether I can.....but I'm gonna try. Millie.....believe me.....there was one thing I didn't lie about."

Harry Chase loved me.

*If you would like to tell any of these Northforkers how much you enjoyed their story you can drop by The McCain Ranch messageboard and say "howdy!" 
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If you have a story you would like to share or some information about
"The Rifleman"/Chuck Connors please send me an e-mail

     A 'big thank you' to all of the contributors!  May you write many more Rifleman Stories!

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